QUETTA: A massive operation is underway against bush fires that have been raging in Sherani forests of Koh-e-Sulaiman in Balochistan for over two weeks.
The first fire erupted on May 9 in Musakhail district and continued for over a week, consuming pine nut trees within a radius of 22 kilometers. A second blaze in the forest occurred on Wednesday night near Saraghalai area of district Sheerani and has not been doused.
Pakistan Army and FC helicopters are taking part in the operation to control the fire and protect the remaining trees of pine nuts and olives.
Zhob Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bazai said they are making all-out efforts and utilising available resources to control fire and save the forests from further destruction.
He said there was no change in the fire situation due to strong winds despite all efforts, adding that firefighting equipment and volunteers were also arriving from Lahore.
Shirani DC Ijaz Ahmed Jaffar said relief camps were established to shift people from the fire-affected areas to the camps. Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo and Corps Commander Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali visited Shirani district to review the situation.
Bizenjo announced a compensation of Rs1 million each for families of the three people who lost their lives and Rs500,000 each for the injured.
The chief minister also spoke to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and said that Iran would provide a special plane to help douse forest fires.
The Balochistan government has imposed a ban on camping, cooking and picnicking in all forests of the province. A large number of animals and birds have perished. The Home and Tribal Affairs Department said the province was facing a drought-like situation and there is a danger of more wildfires.
PM Shehbaz briefed
Meanwhile, a report regarding firefighting efforts to contain wildfire in Sherani area of Balochistan province was submitted to the prime minister on the ongoing operation in affected areas.
The prime minister had issued direction to the relevant authorities to accelerate their fire dousing operation in the area and summoned a report in this regard.
According to the report, a team consisting of federal and provincial departments had been formed while a control room was set up by the department of forests and wildlife to monitor the situation, besides an emergency was imposed by the commissioner Zhob in the area.
The chief secretary Balochistan, secretary forests, DG PDMA had also visited the affected area to supervise the ongoing operation. Different teams of about 300 persons were taking part in the operation in Shair Gali, Zargon Zawar, Tor Ghar and Takkai areas.
PM’s special representative and Federal Minister for Housing Maulana Abdul Wasey also chaired a meeting in Zhob which was attended by the chief minister, federal and provincial authorities and the Quetta Corps Commander.
Under the prime minister’s direction, in district Sherani, a task force under the supervision of the secretary forests and wildlife Balochistan had been constituted. A notification related to ‘Village and Area Fire Control’ committees had also been issued.
The report further said the PDMA was providing the required firefighting equipment and rescue vehicles to control spread of wildfire.
The NDMA was also supplying the necessary equipment whereas Pakistan Army has provided two helicopters, besides an army base camp was set up which was extending support in the ongoing operation.
